Uganda: Mineral-Rich Karamoja to Get Electricity

Karamoja sub-region, one of the areas in Uganda known to be heavily endowed with minerals, is to be connected to the national power grid, a development that could attract more investors to the region.

Government, through the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), is to construct a 132kV transmission line to supply power to the mining areas of Moroto, Katiketile in Karamoja, according to a statement from UETCL.

"Electricity supply to the sub-region will attract investors interested in mining different minerals and precious stones like gold, silver, copper, iron, titanium, manganese, niobium, tantalite and chrome," the statement said.

The Islamic Development Bank has offered government $80.6 million to implement the 160km project and will traverse the districts of Soroti, from the termination point at Opuyo substation, through Amuria, Katakwi to Moroto.

A 132/33kV-50MVA substation will be constructed at Katiketile to step down supply and distribution lines constructed to 26 villages in the Karamoja region under the rural electrification program, the statement notes.

Parsons Brinckerhoff Africa (PTY) Ltd, from South Africa, has already carried out a feasibility study, which was funded by the World Bank.

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